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Hosmer continues solid spring in loss to Tribe

First baseman homers as part of two-hit day; Guthrie fans five in three innings

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Royals on 12-6 loss vs. Indians 2:11

3/13/14: Jeremy Guthrie discusses his outing, Ned Yost likes how his offense looked and Eric Hosmer talks about working on his mechanics

By Joey Nowak
/
MLB.com |

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Eric Hosmer had two hits, including his second homer, and scored twice to pace the visiting Royals in a 12-6 loss to the Indians on Thursday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark.

Jeremy Guthrie gave up three runs (two earned) while striking out five in three innings. Indians starter Zach McAllister scattered two runs over 3 1/3 innings.

Cleveland had nine baserunners in the first three innings against Guthrie, including its first three batters of the game. Michael Bourn walked to lead off before Nick Swisher and Jason Kipnis singled. A Guthrie throwing error helped give Cleveland the 2-0 lead.

Kansas City got one back in the second when Mike Moustakas singled to lead off the frame and scored on a grounder after a Lorenzo Cain single and a sacrifice bunt. Hosmer went deep to tie it in the third.

"It's just getting better every day, making adjustments. We're putting in the work," said Hosmer, who raised his average to .303. "Guys are working hard, and it's coming down to the crunch time now -- a couple weeks left. Just got to come in, be consistent with the work and just stay at it."

Cleveland took the lead once again in the bottom of the third when Kipnis was hit by a pitch and eventually came around to score on a Jeff Francoeur single. But Kansas City plated two more in the fifth when Hosmer doubled and scored on a Carlos Peguero single, and Moustakas drove in Billy Butler with a sacrifice fly. Ramon Hernandez also drove in a run in the sixth.

The Indians' bench players poured it on in the latter innings, plating four in the seventh and five in the eighth. Elliot Johnson homered as part of a two-hit effort.